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Hershey Comes From Behind To Take 5-4 Win Over Phantoms

October 17, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - Dean Arsene scored with 2:24 left in regulation to give the Hershey Bears a come-from-behind, 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phantoms at the Wachovia Spectrum on Friday night. The Bears outshot the Phantoms 43-25 on the evening, but still needed Arsene's late heroics to remain undefeated on the young American Hockey League season. Danny Syvret led the Phantoms with a three-point night, while Jonathan Matsumoto tallied a pair of goals.

The first of 12 games this season between the two rivals was an indication of the intensity both teams have when they play each other. The Phantoms opened up the scoring at the 2:33 mark of the first period on a goal by Rob Bellamy. Michael Ratchuk fed a long outlet pass down the left-side boards to a streaking David Laliberte, sending him into the zone with Bellamy on a 2-on-1. Laliberte slid a backhanded pass to Bellamy, who fired a wrist shot past the glove of Hershey goaltender Simeon Varlamov. Bellamy's first as a professional gave the Phantoms a 1-0 advantage.

But Hershey tied up the score at 8:23 of the first period on a goal by Andrew Gordon. Kyle Wilson played the puck deep into the Philadelphia zone, where defenseman Tyler Sloan chased it down. After battling behind the net, Sloan fed a pass right on the doorstep to Gordon, who beat Jean-Sebastien Aubin high to the glove side.

The Phantoms went up again with 9:16 to go in the first period. While on the power play, Syvret fired a slap shot from the point that was blocked in front. Boyd Kane found the loose puck and fired a shot that was initially saved by Varmalov. Matsumoto then came flying in to deposit the rebound into the back of the net for a 2-1 advantage.

The back and forth battle continued as Hershey tallied the first goal of the second period 4:20 in to even the score at 2-2. Quintin Laing banged home a rebound in front off a Sean Collins shot that was deflected in front by Arsene.

Hershey took its first lead of the game at the 13:09 mark of the second period on a goal by Alexander Giroux. Keith Aucoin was deep in the Philadelphia zone when he dropped a pass back to Sami Lepisto. Lepisto crossed to a wide-open Giroux at the right side circle, who then fired a slap shot that beat Aubin top shelf above his blocker.

Just fifteen seconds later Philadelphia knotted up the score again on Syvret's first as a Phantom. Off the face-off at center ice, Andreas Nodl dumped a quick pass off to Nate Raduns, who crossed the blue line and fired a shot on net. The puck was deflected and came back to the stick of Syvret on the left-side point. Syvret launched a slap shot through traffic in front that beat Varmalov down low to tie the score at 3-3.

The Phantoms jumped ahead again at 18:16 of the second period. Working with a 5-on-3 advantage, Matsumoto took a back-door feed from a patient Claude Giroux and easily slid it in the net to record his second goal of the game.

That lead was erased at 13:32 of the third period. Mathieu Perreault, off a pass from Collins, flung a weak shot from the blue line towards the net. With the slow puck coming his way, winger Oskar Osala got enough of his stick on the shot to trickle it past Aubin.

Overtime seemed likely late in the third period, but Hershey stole the show with a goal on a bang-bang play. Off a face-off in the Philadelphia zone, Jay Beagle slid a pass to Arsene, who fired a one-timer past Aubin.

Aubin turned away 38 of the 43 shots the Bears fired at him. At the other end, Varmalov stopped 21 of 25 Phantoms chances. Philadelphia finished the night 2-for-9 on the power play while Hershey was shut out in seven opportunities on the man advantage.

The win keeps Hershey perfect on the season at 4-0-0 while Philadelphia's record dropped to 1-2-0.

The Phantoms continue the weekend homestand on Saturday with a 7:05 puck drop against Binghamton. The club will take a stand for the second in command at Saturday night's game - while many in the country focus for the race for President, the Phantoms are giving Vice-Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin the recognition they deserve. The Phantoms are offering half-price admission to all residents of Delaware, Alaska, and all "hockey moms" who bring a child to the game. In addition, the Phantoms will grant free admission to anyone named Piper, Willow, Bristol, Track, Trig, Hunter, Beau or Ashley. The Phantoms will also debut their purple third jerseys at the game.

The 2008-09 season is the final regular season of hockey at the Wachovia Spectrum. The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final game on April 12, 2009 is to purchase either a game plan package or season tickets. Packages are available now in convenient blocks of 6, 10, 16, 20 and 40 games. Receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game begins at just $60!

For more information or to make a deposit, call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

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